In years to come, every nation will have to create its own options because there will be no government with the muscle to drive an international agenda. Some countries are better positioned than others to prosper in this decentralized global order.
For the most part, UN resolutions never have any direct impact on the strategies of Israeli and Palestinian decision-makers. However, these votes remain important symbols because they are verbal images, telling other international actors 'who' Canada is and what its values are.
Canada charged into a military mission with no guarantee about which of our enemies might ultimately run Libya as a base targeting Canadians. Muslim Brotherhood? Al-Qaeda? Iran? Sudan? Some combination? And to reinforce the risks, we supported international funding of Libya's new jumble of leadership, a leadership that is proving sympathetic to Sharia impositions.
Is it hypocritical for a bunch of historically anti-gay MPs all of sudden attempting to reach out to gay teens with an "It Gets Better" video? I believe the Conservative video is commendable, but only if it signifies a shift in attitude on the part of the party. What's really needed is for things to get better today.
Lawyers for the Saudi Arabian government sent a letter to the Television Bureau of Canada demanding that approval for the Ethical Oil ad be withdrawn. It's one thing for Saudi Arabia to oppress its own citizens
Understandably, due to the tragedy of 10 years ago, governments have sought stronger security. But, as the pursuit of greater security continues, it doesn't have to come at privacy's expense. Privacy is not an unconditional entitlement and there may be cases when its protections must give way to meet a greater good.
Only an independent, science-based monitoring authority, at arms-length from government and industry, can establish the necessary credibility in gathering data and making recommendations regarding local and long-term environmental effects of unearthing Alberta's oil.